Heading into this weekend, Ravens riding streak of home wins

CaptionSteelers NT Casey Hampton vs. Ravens center Matt Birk

Hampton, left, is a load and can dominate the middle against the run. When the Ravens played Pittsburgh two weeks ago, they couldn't run inside. Birk, right, is too small to handle Hampton by himself, so look for him to get a lot of help from guards Jah Reid or Marshal Yanda. The Ravens might...

Hampton, left, is a load and can dominate the middle against the run. When the Ravens played Pittsburgh two weeks ago, they couldn't run inside. Birk, right, is too small to handle Hampton by himself, so look for him to get a lot of help from guards Jah Reid or Marshal Yanda. The Ravens might...

The Ravens did a nice job of attacking Wallace, left, at the line of scrimmage the last time they played, and both Graham and Williams, right, have been more physical ever since. Because of Wallace's speed, the Ravens want to slow him or throw him off rhythm at the line of scrimmage. Wallace...

The Ravens did a nice job of attacking Wallace, left, at the line of scrimmage the last time they played, and both Graham and Williams, right, have been more physical ever since. Because of Wallace's speed, the Ravens want to slow him or throw him off rhythm at the line of scrimmage. Wallace...

Rookie Mike Adams was starting at right tackle but now it appears he is out and rookie Kelvin Beachum will start at right tackle. He'll have to get plenty of help on the right side and the Ravens will flip flop Kruger, right, and Suggs, left, around throughout the game to take advantage of...

Rookie Mike Adams was starting at right tackle but now it appears he is out and rookie Kelvin Beachum will start at right tackle. He'll have to get plenty of help on the right side and the Ravens will flip flop Kruger, right, and Suggs, left, around throughout the game to take advantage of...

Over the last 727 days, M&T Bank Stadium has been the site of last-second field goal makes and misses, stirring comebacks and thorough beatdowns, historic offensive performances and dominant defensive ones.

However, one thing that the stadium hasn't experienced during that span is a loss by the home team.

The Ravens have won 16 consecutive home games -- including the postseason -- heading into this afternoon's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A Ravens' win, coupled with a Cincinnati Bengals' loss to the San Diego Chargers, would allow the team to celebrate a second consecutive AFC North title in front of fans who have helped create one of the best home-field advantages in football.

The Ravens haven't lost a home game since Dec. 5, 2010, when they fell, 13-10 to the same team that will provide the opposition Sunday -- the Steelers.

"I didn't know that. Thank you," said Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs when told by a reporter that the Steelers were the last road team to emerge victorious from M&T Bank Stadium.

Suggs smiled as if he couldn't wait to go back to the locker room and provide his teammates with one more piece of motivation Sunday.

"That's first and foremost, defend M&T," he said. "She's been mother to us all and very good to us. So we've got to continue to be good for her."

How good have the Ravens been at home?

Since 2008, the start of the John Harbaugh Era, the Ravens are 32-5 at M&T Bank Stadium, tied with the New England Patriots for the best home record in the NFL during that span. They have won 23 of their last 24 regular season games at home.

During their streak, which stretches to 15 consecutive home wins during the regular season and to 16 with the addition of the AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Houston Texans last January, the Ravens have outscored the opposition 446 to 258.

"We take pride in it," Harbaugh said. "We're very proud of our fans. We are very proud of our city and very proud of the environment of our stadium and our guys really like playing there."

Ravens by the numbers

(Six numbers that tell the story of the streak)

446-258: The margin by which the Ravens have outscored their opponents

PASSING GAME: Quarterback Joe Flacco couldn't get much done against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago as he completed 20 of 32 passes for 164 yards and no touchdowns. Pittsburgh cornerback Ike Taylor held Torrey Smith, the Ravens' top downfield threat, to one 7-yard catch, even though Smith...

With a team-leading 13 receptions and three touchdowns of 20 yards or more, Torrey Smith has solidified his reputation as the Ravens' most productive deep threat this season. The wide receiver ranks fifth in the NFL with 17.9 average yards per catch and leads the team in touchdown receptions...